Barry Bonds’ agent finally acknowledged Wednesday that the home run king is done playing baseball.

“It’s two years since he played his last game, and if there was any
chance he’d be back in a major-league uniform, it would have happened
by now,” agent Jeff Borris told The Chronicle.

There’s a certain brand of sabermetrically-inclined fan — many of whom are friends of mine — who think that Barry could still DH for someone if he was given a week or two in a batting cage. I’m extremely dubious of this, and was last year and even a good way back into 2008. Sure, he probably can still tell a ball from a strike better than anyone, but entropy is a bitch once you reach a certain age, and even the Great Barry Bonds’ baseball body is going to quickly decline without regular use. He probably should have broke camp as someone’s DH a couple of years ago, but I long gave up any hope that he’d don a uniform again.

The real question, of course, is the Hall of Fame. 2013 is his eligibility date. All things being equal he’d be a first ballot inductee. Of course all things aren’t equal with him. There’s some softening on the Mark McGwire’s of the world, but no one was the face of the Steroid Era like Barry Bonds was. He’s going to take the heat for that, likely delaying his induction for a good long while. This despite the fact that (a) there’s no evidence to suggest that he was deeper into PEDs to a greater degree than any other player of his era; and (b) he was likely a Hall of Famer before the turn of century and his association with BALCO.

If I had the franchise, I’d vote for him in a second. I’d expect, however, Barry won’t be getting into the Hall of Fame without a ticket until he’s an old man.

Steroids weren’t against the rules of baseball when Bonds was allegedly using them, he also never tested positive for steroids. The only reason there’s such a vitriolic hatred of the guy is because he wasn’t nice to the media.
There’s no reason why he shouldn’t be a first ballot HoFer.

i never liked Pete Rose but i have always liked Barry Bonds but then i never knew either personally. What i liked about both of them is that they were two of the greatest players ever to wear a uniform. I despise Roger Clemmons but he was also one of the greatest pitchers to ever play the game. So in my humble opinion they should all be in the Hall of Fame. If they are never inducted they will continue to hold their places as being among the greatest players of all time.
The real difficulty i have is that we do not know who the “clean” players are nor all of the “dirty” players. It follows that the Hall probably has steriod users and other substance abusers.We also cannot say that steroids has actually helped players’ performance as Jason Grimsley was said to be a user. If he used steroids at the level alleged i shudder to think of what his performance would have been like without it.
Final question.What is the Hall of Fame?Its not heaven because they allow sinners to enter Heaven. All they have to do is be forgiven.And the good thing about heaven is that God knows who is guilty and who is not.So until Hall voters develop the omniscience of God they should not be so judgmental and try to be a little more forgiving.

James, steroids WERE against the rules when Mr. Bonds started taking them, same for McGwire, Canseco, etc.
At that time, they weren’t spelled out as they are in Olympic competition: Nandrolone, Stanazolol, & 12 or 14 other scientific names.
The language was generic, but any adult reading it would understand that anabolic steroids were against the rules.

What does that mean when people say,”It hasn’t been proven that Barry Bonds took Steroids.” Or people make the argument that it wasn’t against the rules of baseball. If it wasn’t against the rules of baseball, who cares. Why is his personal trainer spending a year in jail for refusing to testify. Why has Bonds been indicted for perjury. Who cares. If they can’t prove something against you, it never happened, right. Hang in there Barry. Admit nothing. Take care of your people. We all know what happens when you don’t take care of your people, just ask Roger. In five or ten years this will all blow over and be just a blip in history. Fans and sports writers will be throwing rose petals at your feet proclaiming you to be the King, the Greatest athlete in history.

This piece of garbage bonds, in NO WAY will EVER be allowed into the Hall of Fame. In his case, it should be the Hall of Shame, along with Mark McGuire. They have damaged the rep of MLB so bad, that it way be generations before people start respecting the game again. bonds belongs in jail, NOT the Hall of Fame. If he gets elected, I will never watch another game. The only thing that belongs in the Hall of Fame from that dirtbag bonds, is his huge asterick covered ball, and that should be listed under “What a Joke”

I’m just gonna throw this out there and see if someone hits it. If Barroid gets into the HOF, then it is a slap in the face to Rose, McGuire, Sosa, and anyone else who has been penalized for indescretions to this point. MLB should take a very close look at this situation and monitor it closely. If Bonds gets in, they better open the door for the others.

Oh, I am weeping that Barry Bonds is out of baseball… NOT!!!! Lets see overhyped, ballooned up, big headed, CHEATER!! This is from one of Barry’s press conferences: Yes, I know Victor Conte and he did give me some products and I used them but they were not steriods. I have never knowingly used steriods. Hello Barry!!, look in the mirror at the size of your head, that should have been your first clue!

dont hate because barry bond is the best who had played baseball. he won more mvp than anyone. not includes his golding gloves. there not that many people that stold over 500 bases & 500 homeruns. he broke just about every records in baseball

The voting members of the HOF should have this important rule prior to voting in a player: integrity! Taking illegal or banned substances known to enhance endurance and performance violates this rule of integrety. Therefore, any player, including Barry Bonds, the so-called Home Run King, should not be elected into the HOF. It does not matter that Bonds had great numbers prior to taking steroids – if he took them and thus cheated, don’t elect him into the hof. For those of you who think he is the greatest thing since sliced break, get over it. He cheated and thus should not be in.